Immature love

Immature love is simply need.

Mature love is the honest struggle to meet it head on and make it work.

Yes, it’s elusive, but it’s real prize in life, the thing that makes the final sleep so sweet.

A mountain

A mountain. A river. A tree. A spring. A cave. A beast. Or even a cathedral, a mosque or a temple. None of these is inherently sacred. The sacred is a consequence of human faith in God or in the deep significance human beings find in their world.

It is no sin to live a life of material comfort, kindness and generosity. But the acknowledgement of sacredness in the world is a dive deep into the experience of life. Sacredness demands more than passive contemplation and worship. It demands action to bring beauty, meaning and purpose to the world.

Tender men

Not a day goes by without a new charge of sexual impropriety against men who have abused their power and influence. So much so that this is the image of what a man is that often sticks in our minds.

But in my teaching career, I have met many young men who are men, but see no shame in showing their tenderness. It is a part of them that carries into their married lives and their love of their children.

These men are not so often celebrated. But I celebrate them.

Eulogy

Write your own eulogy. Be honest. Read it out loud.

My hair

My hair. My ears. My breath. My teeth. My skin. My tummy. My back. My knees. My toenail fungus. My everything. If I watch TV long enough, some world-famous doctor or some woman with a happy voice will explain how all parts of me need help to feel better, feel stronger, look nicer or younger or just be generally more attractive.

Of course the underlying marketing message with its whiff of shame is that I should want all these things. Otherwise how can I be popular and happy?

But I don’t want these things. I don’t need these things. I don’t even want to want these things. In fact, I’m more likely to trust people with yellow teeth. I don’t know anyone who’s died of toenail fungus. My skin has had freckles, birth marks, brown spots, rashes and wrinkles, and I still think I have a damn good set of friends.